BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has declared a state of emergency across Iraq, except for the northern region of Kurdistan, for 60 days due to a spike in deadly violence, his spokesman said.
"We have decided to declare a state of emergency throughout Iraq except for Kurdistan in the north, for 60 days," spokesman Thaer Naqib said.
The decision was made after all peaceful channels to stop a scourge of deadly bombings and killings in the country had failed, he told a news conference.
"These crimes are being commited by criminals and terrorists trying to derail the efforts of the government."
The rebels were intent on wrecking Iraq's infrastructure and derailing the government's plans to hold national elections by January, Naqib added.
"The goverment has tried all peaceful solutions and carried out all possible communication to establish a peaceful solution," he said.
Allawi issued the order, which would apply to all affected areas from Sunday, according to article one of Iraq's emergency law.
11/07/2004 - 12:27 GMT - AFP